Snow Ban Ordinance

ORDINANCE 2012-15

An Ordinance Regulating Parking within the City of Hazleton During the Snow Season for Snow Removal and/or Plowing and Establishing a Schedule of Fines for Violations Defined in the Various Classifications of Said Regulations

WHEREAS, it is necessary for the general health, welfare and safety of the public and the citizens of the City of Hazleton that parking be regulated within the City for snow removal and plowing.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED AND ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Hazleton as follows:

Section 1.

It shall be unlawful for any person to park any type of automobile, truck, recreational vehicle or any other form of vehicle on a public street, court or alley in a restricted area provided for in the Ordinance or any additions made by the Council of the City of Hazleton during the snow season as defined herein.

Section 2.

The snow season, for the purpose of this Ordinance, shall be defined as the period beginning October 15 up to and including the period ending April 30 of the following year.

Section 3.

During the snow season, each time there is a snowfall, starting from the time snow begins to fall until 48 hours after the snowfall has stopped, no motor vehicle of any kind shall be permitted to park and the following parking ban rules shall be in effect within the City of Hazleton as follows:

A. In any year in which the snow season begins in an even year, any/all vehicular parking will be allowed only on the side of the street, avenue, road, court or alley which the house numbers are even numbers. In any year in which the snow season begins in an odd year, any and all vehicular parking will be allowed only on the side of the street, avenue, road, court or alley which the house numbers are odd numbers.

B. The following streets, avenues, roads, courts or alleys shall have parking restricted in the manner set forth and shall not change from year to year:

1. Vine Street – from Broad Street to Diamond Avenue – parking shall be allowed on the West side of the street only.

2. Columbus Court – from Morris Lane to Cleveland Street – parking shall be allowed on the North side of the street only.

3. Laurel Street – from Broad Street to Diamond Avenue – parking shall be allowed on the East side of the street only

4. East Mine Street – from Hazle Street to Mill Street – parking shall be allowed on the South side of the street only.

5. 5th Street – from Wyoming Street to Laurel Street – shall be allowed on the South side of the street only.

6. 5th Street – from James Street to Peace Street – parking shall be allowed on the South side of the street only.

7. 9th Street – from Laurel Street to Thompson Street – it shall be unlawful to park on either side of the street.

8. 11th Street – from Alter Street to Locust Street – parking shall be allowed on the South Side of the street only.

C. After the 48-hour period immediately following the snowfall has passed, or once an emergency period is declared over, parking shall be allowed on both sides of the street, except where otherwise prohibited or restricted any other reason under any other ordinance. Should the snowfall be so severe that it cannot be cleared within 48 hours immediately following the snowfall, the Mayor and/or Department of Public Works Foreman may order, with due public announcement by press, radio and/or other means, additional time for the parking ban.

Section 4.

The Mayor and/or Department of Public Works Foreman may order, with due public announcement by press, radio and/or other means, the reversal of the parking areas prescribed in this Ordinance for periods of time necessary to plow and clear both sides of the streets. In such cases, this order shall take precedence over existing no parking signs and regulations.

Section 5.

It shall be the duty of the Hazleton Police Department to have towed any vehicle parked upon any restricted street, avenue, road, court or alley as defined in this Ordinance any period defined herein. The owner of such vehicle shall pay, in addition to the below mentioned fine, the cost of towing and storage of said vehicle.

Section 6.

At any time a snow parking ban is in effect, it shall be unlawful for any person to drive any type of automobile, truck or other form of vehicle using pneumatic tires, unless said vehicle is equipped with snow tires or tire chains, and said snow tires must have an effective amount of tread remaining on tire.

Any person violating any provision of this Ordinance shall pay a fine for each offense of seventy -five ($75.00) dollars within ten (10) calendar days from issue date, and one hundred ($100.00) dollars after such ten-day period, as well as the costs of prosecution and penalties.

This Ordinance rescinds Ordinances 94-26, 99-12 and 2009-38.

Any ordinance or part of an ordinance conflicting with the provisions of this Ordinance shall be and the same is hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.

This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon passage and approved in the manner prescribed by law.